LOCATION - United States, Southwest, Arizona, Phoenix, Glendale. The local area is very supportive of the military. It is considered a median cost area to live; however, housing prices have increased considerably in the last few years. Centrally located in the Valley of the Sun, individuals stationed at Luke Air Force Base enjoy a dry, moderate climate that is the envy of many, particularly in the winter.
HISTORY - Luke Air Force Base is named for the first aviator to be awarded the Medal of Honor - 2nd Lt Frank Luke Jr. Luke's 56th Fighter Wing was first activated January 15, 1941 as the 56th Pursuit Group. The 56th left for England January 6. 1943. During the following two years, pilots of the 56th destroyed more enemy planes and listed more aces than any other Army Air Force group in the 8th Air Force, including the top two aces in Europe. The combat and support operations of the wing in Southeast Asia were numerous and varied. The 56th was reassigned to Luke Air Force Base on April 1, 1994. More details are available at Luke AFB homepage.
MISSION - "Train the world's greatest F-16 fighter pilots and maintainers, while deploying mission ready warfighters." Luke Air Force Base is assigned to the Air Education and Training Command. Other commands represented at Luke Air Force Base include the U.S. Air Force Reserves and the Air Combat Command.
POPULATION SERVED
| Category |
Population Normally |
Winter Population |
| Active Duty |
5,600 |
5,600 |
| Reservists |
1,400 |
1,400 |
| Air Force Civilian Employees |
1,400 |
1,400 |
| Students/Rotational |
1,200 |
1,200 |
| Family Members |
6,700 |
6,700 |
| Military Retirees |
68,900 |
118,900 |
| Totals |
85,200 |
135,200 |
SPONSORSHIP - Once you receive your notification of assignment, you should request a sponsor through the Military Personnel Flight (MPF). If you have concerns, once you have requested a sponsor through the MPF, contact your Family Support Center for assistance.
You sponsor should meet you upon arrival. You should arrange where you will meet your sponsor prior to arrival. However if your sponsor does not meet you, contact your unit of assignment during duty hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). If you arrive after duty hours, contact the Lodging Office at (623) 856-3941. This office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can arrange to have your mail delivered to the following address while you are enroute PCS -
Your Name
General Delivery
Luke AFB AZ 85309-9999
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Lodging is open around the clock. Families will stay in one of the Temporary Lodging Facilities for up to 30 days based on availability. Single airmen arriving PCS after duty hours or on weekends are lodged in visiting airmen's quarters (VAQ) until the first duty day. You are encouraged to make temporary quarters' reservations prior to arrival through your sponsor or by calling commercial (623) 856-3941 or DSN 896-3941.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - The staff of the Family Support Center (FSC) provide comprehensive relocation services. Contact the FSC at (623) 856-6386 or DSN 896-6386. One of the most important services offered at the FSC is information and referral. If you don't know who to call, call us. We're never the wrong place to go or call!
The FSC provides a newcomers' briefing (Wing Orientation) twice a month. The FSC participates in the First Term Airmen Center briefings. These two briefings provide a warm welcome for new arrivals and an orientation to the local area and local issues. The FSC also hosts "Heartlink", an interactive and fun spouse orientation. Information on the local community, schools, crime statistics, automobile insurance and more are available upon request at the FSC. The Family Services section provides a comprehensive loan closet where members can borrow common household items until incoming personnel's personal household good shipments arrive.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION - Sky Harbor Airport will not ship pets in or out from mid-April to September. It is simply too hot and it would endanger your pets. If you are relocating during this timeframe, you will need to make arrangements other than shipping your pets by air. Contact your sponsor if you have questions.
If you plan to purchase a home, it is important to note that home prices have increased substantially in the last few years. This has also had an impact on rental prices since more people are renting until they can save enough to afford the down payment.
Bring enough money to ensure you can meet the needs of your relocation. If you intend to live off base, you may need money for deposits. There are costs for buying food items that you may have shipped, but haven't arrived. If arriving from overseas, you may need a new vehicle, down payment, auto insurance, etc. There can also be unexpected expenses that you couldn't have foreseen. Plan ahead.
The west valley area of Maricopa County where Luke Air Force Base is located is a fast growing area. If you were here just a few years ago, you will be surprised by the development. If you haven't been here previously, you will be surprised by the newness of almost everything.